STS-107: The Final Flight of Columbia

This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-107, focusing on the terminal countdown from T minus 20 minutes to liftoff. Distinctive moments include the successful solid rocket booster separation and the roll program executed shortly after liftoff. Key ascent milestones also include main engine cutoff and external tank separation, with Rick Husband commanding the mission and Ilan Ramon participating as the first Israeli astronaut.

This recording captures the final landing preparations for STS-107, with Columbia targeted for Runway 33 at Kennedy Space Center at 8:16am Central Time. Notably, the crew completed the payload bay door closure at 4:50am and began fluid loading as part of their re-adaptation to gravity. Flight Director LeRoy Cain and CAPCOM Charlie Hobaugh discuss weather conditions, including fog that is expected to dissipate, while the crew performs final switch verifications and maneuvers for the deorbit burn set for 7:15am.

This recording captures the final moments of communication with Columbia before its scheduled landing at Kennedy Space Center at 8:16am Central Time. Notably, communications were lost at 8:00am Central Time while Columbia was approximately 200,000 feet above North Central Texas.

This recording captures the aftermath of the STS-107 tragedy, focusing on the loss of Columbia during its landing at 9:16am Eastern Time. Notably, communications were lost just minutes before touchdown, leading to a declaration of emergency by NASA as debris was reported in North Texas. The recording includes discussions about the implications for the space program and the fate of the seven astronauts.

Compilation tape in two parts. First, a visit in which 'Mr. President' is introduced to NASA staff and flight controllers. Second part, shows the crew preparing for entry (donning gloves, fluid loading, plasma visible outside the windows) and ends before loss of signal.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-107.

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This recording captures the activation of the CEBIS system aboard Columbia, occurring at MET 1 hour 48 minutes.

This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-107, focusing on the terminal countdown from T minus 20 minutes to liftoff. Distinctive moments include the liftoff of Columbia, the roll program initiated immediately after, and the confirmed solid rocket booster separation. The ascent milestones also feature main engine cutoff and external tank separation, with Rick Husband commanding.

This recording features a memorial service honoring the STS-107 crew, with significant reflections from speakers.

This news broadcast captures the immediate aftermath of the STS-107 tragedy, focusing on the crew's reflections about the mission and the loss of Columbia. Notable moments include eyewitness accounts of debris falling in Nacogdoches, Texas, at 8:03 AM, and discussions about the shuttle's telemetry data and the potential recovery of the crew module. Speakers include Bill Harwood and Mike Mullane, who emphasize the risks of reentry and the importance of understanding the events leading to the disaster.

This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-107, focusing on the terminal countdown from T minus 20 minutes to liftoff at 10:39 AM. Distinctive moments include the successful solid rocket booster separation and the roll program initiated immediately after liftoff. Key ascent milestones also feature main engine cutoff and external tank separation, with Rick Husband commanding the mission.

This recording features a memorial service honoring the STS-107 Columbia crew. The service emphasizes the ongoing commitment to space exploration and the legacy of the Columbia mission, highlighting the astronauts' roles as explorers and heroes.

This recording captures the memorial service for astronaut David Brown, held at Arlington National Cemetery, where his crewmates Michael Anderson and Laurel Clark were also honored. Evelyn Husband, widow of Columbia's commander Rick Husband, shares poignant memories of her husband's legacy, including daily devotionals he recorded for their children. The tape highlights the emotional resilience of the families as they navigate their grief and seek closure after the tragedy.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-107, detailing the crew's dual-team structure, with Commander Rick Husband and Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon on the Red Team, while Pilot Willie McCool and Mission Specialist Dave Brown are on the Blue Team. The commentary emphasizes the mission's unique 16-day duration dedicated to science, with 86 payloads supporting 79 investigations, and highlights the first flight of the Space HAB Research Double Module. Additionally, the crew discusses the integration of international contributions, particularly from Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-107, focusing on the activation of the MFA BioTube experiment, which investigates the effects of magnetic fields on plant root growth. The crew discusses the experiment's automated processes, including water delivery and imaging of root growth, set to run for 48 hours. Additionally, Dr. Jacob Bloomberg outlines the human life science experiments, including studies on calcium kinetics and renal stone risk, emphasizing the importance of understanding physiological changes in microgravity.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-107, highlighting the crew's discussions about the unique student experiments being conducted, including a project from a Native American school in Idaho that explores the effects of space on art materials. The commentary also includes insights from Commander Rick Husband on the mission's international collaboration and the first flight of the Space Hab Research double module, emphasizing its enhanced capabilities for scientific research.

This recording captures the launch minus two day countdown status briefing for STS-107, featuring updates from NASA Test Director Pete Kalinko, Payload Mission Manager Jack Kiefenheim, and Weather Officer Kathy Winters. Key highlights include the successful servicing of onboard fuel cell cryo storage tanks, preparations for the Mediterranean Israeli Dust Experiment led by Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon, and a favorable weather forecast with a 5% chance of launch constraints. The briefing emphasizes the importance of maintaining the countdown schedule amidst demanding stowage activities.

This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-107, focusing on the terminal countdown from T minus 20 minutes to liftoff at 10:39 AM. Distinctive moments include the successful entry of all seven astronauts into Columbia, with Kalpana Chawla being the last to board. Key ascent milestones mentioned are solid rocket booster separation, main engine cutoff, and external tank separation, with Rick Husband commanding the mission.

This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-107, focusing on the terminal countdown from T minus 20 minutes to liftoff at 10:39 AM. Distinctive moments include the liftoff of Columbia, the roll program initiated immediately after liftoff, and the confirmed solid rocket booster separation. Key ascent milestones also feature main engine cutoff and external tank separation, with Rick Husband commanding the mission.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-107, highlighting the crew's discussions about the extensive use of available space for experiments, including 11 student projects. Notably, the commentary includes insights from various speakers, such as the benefits of international collaboration with Colonel Ilan Ramon, who is conducting the Mediterranean Israeli Dust Experiment. The dialogue also addresses the operational status of the Space Station and the future of the Space Shuttle program, emphasizing the ongoing need for upgrades and modifications.

This recording captures the first mission status briefing for STS-107, focusing on the initial 24 hours in orbit. Key highlights include the successful activation of the bioreactor experiment for prostate cancer cells, which showed significant tissue aggregation within the first 20 hours, and the progress of various payload activities, including the microbial physiology experiment and the zeolite crystal growth experiment. Minor issues were reported, such as a heater malfunction and communication link problems, but overall mission performance was deemed exceptionally clean.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-107, focusing on the Mediterranean Israeli Dust Experiment (MEIDEX) as the crew captures live downlink images of the moon and atmospheric dust over the Mediterranean Sea. Notably, the commentary discusses the cooling issue with the Spacehab, where the crew implements a workaround due to a malfunctioning rotary separator, ensuring continued operation of experiments. The crew also highlights the successful operation of the Vapor Compression Distillation experiment, which is crucial for future water recycling on the International Space Station.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-107, focusing on the crew's work with the Laminar Soot Processes experiment. Mission Specialist Laurel Clark discusses the successful operation of the Vapor Compression Distillation experiment, crucial for future water recycling on the ISS. The commentary also highlights the crew's collaborative efforts in troubleshooting and managing various experiments aboard the Spacehab module.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-107, detailing the crew's work on the Osteo experiment, which investigates bone loss in microgravity. Dr. Nicole Buckley discusses three separate experiments within the Osteo payload, including treatments with estrogen and whether serum linked to sleep deprivation affects bone cells. The commentary also highlights the premature fixation issue encountered in the microbial physiology flight experiment, which resulted in lost data, and the crew's ongoing efforts to manage temperature and experiment conditions in the Spacehab module.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-107, highlighting the crew's preparation for the MIST experiment, which investigates water mist's effectiveness in fire suppression. Notably, Commander Rick Husband assists with the experiment's setup, while Ilan Ramon collaborates closely with Kalpana Chawla. The commentary also discusses the completion of previous combustion experiments and the crew's ongoing scientific activities, including the successful operation of the bioreactor demonstration system involving prostate cancer cells.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-107, highlighting the crew's reflections on their experiences in space, particularly the views of Earth and celestial phenomena. Notably, Ilan Ramon shares his perspective on the fragility of the planet, while Dave Brown recounts capturing an ELVE (a transient luminous event) during the mission. The crew also discusses the successful operation of various experiments, including the water mist fire suppression research and the biological research on plant growth in microgravity.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-107, focusing on the final preparations for landing. Notably, Commander Rick Husband expresses gratitude to the ground team, acknowledging individual contributions, while the crew wraps up experiments and begins stowing equipment in the Spacehab module. The Blue Team (Willie McCool, Mike Anderson, and David Brown) is engaged in closing out the Spacehab and performing system checks, with a deorbit burn scheduled for 7:15am Central Time and landing at 8:16am.

This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-107, focusing on the terminal countdown from T minus 20 minutes to liftoff. Distinctive moments include the liftoff of Columbia, the initiation of the roll program immediately after liftoff, and the confirmed solid rocket booster separation. Key ascent milestones also feature main engine cutoff and external tank separation, with Rick Husband commanding the mission.

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This recording documents the fifth anniversary memorial for the STS-107 Columbia crew, featuring keynote speaker Evelyn Husband Thompson, widow of Commander Rick Husband. She shares poignant memories of the final moments before the tragedy, including the last video messages Rick sent to their children. Notable attendees include astronauts Eileen Collins and Steve Lindsey, who reflect on the importance of honoring the crew's legacy and the lessons learned from the Columbia accident.

This recording documents the June 6, 2003 foam-impact test of a flown reinforced carbon-carbon (RCC) Panel 6 from Discovery, part of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board's testing program. A representative External Tank foam projectile produced significant damage — initially reported as an approximately three-inch crack, later characterized as a 5.5-inch through-thickness crack — plus damage to the adjacent T-seal. The test gave direct evidence that a representative foam strike could damage flight RCC wing-leading-edge hardware, while investigators cautioned it did not by itself establish the precise failure mechanism that caused Columbia's loss.

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